ABATI: Nigeria’s offensive against Boko Haram

The concern that has been expressed over the abduction of more than 200 girls from a secondary school in Nigeria since April 14 is legitimate and understandable. What is not fair, and which stands out in many of the criticisms directed at the Nigerian government, is the attempt to ignore the issues and argue that President Goodluck Jonathan is the problem. This attempt to turn the matter of the abducted girls into a referendum on the Jonathan administration has resulted in a complete misreading of the situation and much deliberate mischief fueled by ignorance and sponsored propaganda.
Take for example, Karen Attiah’s morbid satire, “What Nigerian president should have written” (The Washington Post, July 3). The piece merely repeats worn misconceptions about the Chibok incident and the efforts of the Jonathan administration in Nigeria to find and rescue the abducted girls.

President Jonathan's Remark at World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’

Remarks by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
At the
Opening of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’
Monday 7th July, 2014

PROTOCOLS

1.            Let me warmly welcome you all to this historic first edition, of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. I am particularly pleased to address this distinguished gathering, on an issue of overriding importance to people and families; governments and nations.

CHAIRMAN, WORLD PENSION SUMMIT FOR AFRICA, MRS GRACE USORO; CO-CHAIRMAN, WORLD PENSION SUMMIT, MR HARRY SMORENBERG; ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PENCOM, Ms CHINELO ANOHU-AMAZU;PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; MINISTER OF FINANCE, DR NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA; CO-CHAIRMAN, WORLD PENSION SUMMIT, MR ERIC EGGINK AND THE CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON PENCOM, SEN ALOYSIUS ETUK AT THE WORLD PENSION SUMMIT/AFRICA SPECIAL IN ABUJA ON

MONDAY (7/7/14)

2.            Pension, it is globally recognized, occupies a strategic place in national socio-economic development. It is not only a vital component of social security; it is also a veritable vehicle for nation building.

Photos: Inauguration of Presidential Committee on Save School Initiative

2 President Goodluck Jonathan left  Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, Yobe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam  and Alh Aliko Dangote at the Inauguration of Presidential  Committee on  Save School Initiative by the President at the State House Abuja  on Wednesday 9th July 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan 5th right, left Director General NEMA Alh Mohammadu Sani Sidi,Education Minister of State Onyeso Wike, Women Affairs Minister  Hajia Zainab Maina Vice President  Namadi Sambo  flank by Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam,Adamawa Governor  Murtala Nyako and Representative of National Coucil of Women Society at the Inauguration of Presidential  Committee on  Save School Initiative by the President at the State House Abuja  on Wednesday 9th July 2014

Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam,Adamawa Governor  Murtala Nyako Vice President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan  at the Inauguration of Presidential  Committee on  Save School Initiative by the President at the State House Abuja  on Wednesday 9th July 2014

Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam,Adamawa Governor  Murtala Nyako Vice President Namadi Sambo and President Goodluck Jonathan  at the Inauguration of Presidential  Committee on  Save School Initiative by the President at the State House Abuja  on Wednesday 9th July 2014

45TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ACCRA GHANA

45TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ACCRA GHANA

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (L) ARRIVING ACCRA, GHANA FOR THE 45TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ACCRA ON WEDNESDAY (9/7/14) WITH HIM IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF GHANA MR KWESI AMISSAH-ARTHUR

NIGERIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GHANA AMB ADEMOLA ONOFOWOKAN PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF GHANA MR KWESI AMISSAH-ARTHUR DURING THE DURING THE ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO ACCRA FOR THE 45TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ACCRA ON WEDNESDAY (9/7/14)

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (L) AND THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF GHANA MR KWESI AMISSAH-ARTHUR DURING THE ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN TO ACCRA FOR THE 45^TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN ACCRA ON WEDNESDAY (9/7/14)

DSS parades suspected kidnappers of Jonathan’s uncle, others

The Department of State Services has apprehended six kidnappers of Chief Nitabai Inengite, an uncle to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Inengite was abducted at Otuoke community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in February, 2014.

The kidnappers, who were paraded at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday include a 400-level undergraduate of the University of Jos, Plateau State, Eldred Jonah,30; Raphael Inengesi, 32; Ibeabuchi Inya,29; Oreva Abridi 29; Tammy Agbai,29; and a native doctor, Felix Onuoh,48.

Human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, dies at 49

A Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu, is dead.

A source close to him said the vibrant legal mind died of high blood pressure on Wednesday. He was age 49.

Aturu, who was reportedly rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja in the early hours of Wednesday, was confirmed dead by medical personnel later in the day.

The late Aturu obtained a first degree in Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Until his death, he was the Principal of Bamidele Aturu and Company in Lagos.

We’ve taken over Boko Haram base, says military

Troops have cleared and taken over Balmo Forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend, the Defence Headquarters has said.

Prior to the operation, Balmo Forest, which stretches from Bauchi through Jigawa states with links to the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja on Monday, said terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation.

It however did not specify the number of those arrested during the operation, but said that two foreigners, suspected to be mercenaries, were among those captured.

Also recovered were several weapons and equipment including generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuffs and kitchen utensils.

In another development, the military said over 44 terrorists died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled their attack on the communities.

The military said that members of the sect armed with Improvised Explosive Devices and other high calibre weapons, had carried out a predawn attack on the communities but were overpowered by the troops.

During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunition of various calibre, according to the Defence headquarters.

“Meanwhile, troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State during the weekend fought through an ambush laid by the terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides.

“Altogether, a total of six soldiers were lost in the various encounters with terrorists while those wounded are receiving treatment,” the statement added.

Source: The Punch

Nigerian Troops arrest 3 female undercover operatives of Boko Haram

The Nigerian army have released a statement stating that they have arrested 3 women who worked as undercover operatives for Boko Haram. Find the statement below...

In the aftermath of the failed suicide bombing attempt on a military facility by a female terrorist who blew herself up in Gombe recently, troops have arrested three suspected female terrorists who have been secretly recruiting ladies into the female wing of the terrorists group. The suspects, Hafsat Usman Bako, Zainab Idris and Aisha Abubakar were intercepted while travelling to Madagali from where they were to transit to the forest to reunite with their cohorts. Continue...
 Investigations revealed that the suspects, led by Hafsat Bako, have the mission to recruit members into the female wing as well as conduct espionage for the group. Hafsat’s link with the terrorists group had earlier been a subject of investigation in 2012, when security agents on a manhunt for one Usman Bako, her husband who was identified as a terrorist, stormed their residence in Jimeta.  This resulted in the discovery of an AK 47 rifle and 2 loaded magazines.   Though Usman Bako later died in an encounter with troops in Sokoto where he had relocated to continue his terrorist activities, Hafsat continued with the terror group specializing in surreptitious recruitment of members into their fold.
The arrested trio suspects were luring ladies especially widows and young girls by enticing them with male suitors who are mainly members of their terror group for marriage. Before their arrest, they were on a mission to take additional briefing from the leadership of the terror group.
The trio has been operating together as members of the intelligence team of the group.   Their arrest has yielded information still being verified by security agencies.
Colonel ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
for Director Defence Information

Soldiers on the rampage on Ikorodu Road, burn BRT buses

Updated: Pandemonium broke out in the Onipanu area of Ikorodu Road, Lagos, on Friday after a soldier was allegedly knocked down and killed by one of the buses in the fleet of LAGBUS on the BRT lane.

The soldier was said to have been knocked down after he allegedly rode on the BRT lane and subsequently died as there was no immediate medical attention.
  The driver of the bus, it was gathered, fled after the accident.
It was learnt that a few hours after the soldier, identified as Matthew Ishaya, a lance corporal, was knocked down, some military men from the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Yaba, stormed the Onipanu area of the highway, demanding to know the circumstances surrounding the death of the soldier.

Confab endorses creation of Ijebu, Aba, 17 other states …supports rotation of presidency among zones

THE National Conference on Thursday voted for the creation of 18 more states in the country.

The creation of new states was one of the decisions taken by the delegates at their plenary while considering the report of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.

Apart from the 18 new states proposed, the conference said a separate state-yet-to-be named should be carved out of the South-East to bring the number of the states in the zone to six.